New York Daily News

Brooklyn prosecutors make final case for convicting three FIFA bosses in alleged bribery scheme

Andrew Keshner ·Dec 13, 2017 3:57 PM

Brooklyn federal prosecutors took their last shot at convicting soccer bigs during closing arguments Wednesday in the FIFA corruption case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristin Mace told jurors there was "overwhelming" evidence three South American ex-soccer presidents accepted millions of dollars in bribes to influence the award of marketing rights on widely-watched matches.

The three former officials — Juan Napout, 59, of Paraguay, Jose Maria Marin, 85, of Brazil, and Manuel Burga, 60, of Peru — have been on trial for the last five weeks.

There was a surprise cameo by pop star Kevin Jonas to prove there was a 2010 Paul McCartney concert in Buenos Aires, which Jonas attended. Prosecutors insist Napout was bribed with tickets worth more than $10,000, yet his lawyers wouldn't admit the concert happened.

Before that, prosecutors claimed Burga made throat slicing gestures at a star cooperator on the stand. Burga was dealing with an innocuous irritation on his neck, his lawyer contended.